Edward (Ted) Diskant is a former federal prosecutor and the co-head of McDermott Will & Schulte’s global white-collar and government investigations practice. Ted leverages his background overseeing some of the most high-profile criminal matters brought by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to help companies and individuals navigate a wide range of white-collar, litigation, and regulatory enforcement matters. Recognized as a leading white-collar practitioner by Chambers USA, Ted is “super responsive and practical” in approaching clients’ most sensitive and complex issues. He is routinely hired to lead sensitive internal investigations and respond to government inquiries, with a particular focus on matters involving the False Claims Act (FCA), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery laws, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
An experienced trial lawyer, Ted also regularly takes complex civil and criminal cases to trial. Recognized as part of McDermott’s globally ranked team, Global Investigations Review (GIR) highlights that Ted “brings lots of trial experience to the table,” and clients rely on Ted’s extensive courtroom experience at all stages of litigation. Ted also frequently consults on compliance matters and helps clients design, implement, and audit compliance programs consistent with US Justice Department (DOJ) and other applicable guidance.
Prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Ted spent nine years at the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, most recently serving as Chief of the Public Corruption Unit. In that capacity, Ted supervised a team of approximately twenty senior prosecutors, overseeing some of the Office’s most sensitive and high-profile matters. Ted also led investigations and prosecutions of financial institutions related to compliance with the BSA, as well as US sanctions and AML requirements.
As part of his pro bono practice, Ted serves on the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the Southern District of New York, representing defendants in federal criminal matters, appeals, and in habeas proceedings. Ted co-founded the LGBT White-Collar Working Group and serves on the Firm’s Diversity Committee.
Prior to joining the US Attorney’s Office, Ted clerked for the Hon. Debra Ann Livingston, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and for the Hon. Sidney H. Stein, United States District Court, Southern District of New York.
